Gotch vs. Hackenschmidt: The Matches That Made and Destroyed Legitimate American Professional Wrestling

by Ken Zimmerman Jr., Tamara Zimmerman (Editor)

The Matches Which Built and Crippled an Industry In 1908, Georg Hackenschmidt had been the touring World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion for 8 years. Considered one of the strongest men in the world, fans viewed "Hack" as unbeatable. He returned to the United States for the first time in three years to face the formidable Frank Gotch. Gotch harbored hard feelings for not getting a title shot in 1905. The result was two controversial but legitimate wrestling matches, whose effects were felt for the next decade.

205 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 4, 2016

Reviews

[Robert W. Meyerholtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great account of a monumental sports event

Like other monumental sports events like Ali vs Foreman, Billie Jean King vs Bobby Riggs, Ken Zimmerman Jr. recounts in detail the pro wrestling match still debated today. Frank Gotch vs. George Hackenschmidt, their matches. We're they genuine competitions or predetermined? Back then unlike today this was a serious allegation and big business not to mention egos. I've always been interested in Frank Hitch being a fellow Iowa boy. All I knew was he was from Humboldt, died too young and wrestled George Hackenschmidt. This short book fills in details so very well. The training, the planning, injuries, reporting. To top it off, their matches against other great wrestlers with some photos. The only name I knew was Lou Thesz. If you knew anything about these matches or not. Wrestling fan organ of historical events, you'll find this book fascinating.

[JT Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick read and a well-written account of Frank Gotch's and George Hackenschmidt's careers in the US. Although the research is on point, it's just not very long and can easily be read in 1 sitting by moderately-fast readers. It focuses primarily on the Gotch/Hackenschmidt matches of 1908 and 1911 and their very different effects on the wrestling industry as a whole. I just think it could have included more subject matter and delved deeper into their lives. Gotch is made out to be a dirty wrestler and Hack a victim of circumstances, though I can't help but feel there was a lot more to both of them. It's still worth a read for anyone interested in the roots of the American wrestling industry, though Gotch especially has many other wild stories that aren't covered here. I personally view Gotch as the George Washington of American professional wrestling, but most readers probably wouldn't agree using only this book for reference.

[Warbotter · Rating 3 out of 5]

For die hard wrestling fans that seek even the smallest tid bits of wrestling lore, this is for you, Dude knows his stuff and ain't afraid to take you into the deep woods of early wrestling history. A subject could only dream of someone like zimmerman writing about them as he does wrestling. Maybe not for the novice fan.

[Chale63 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good research, storytelling lacking

A lot of information about the early days of legit pro catch wrestling. Could use some revision.
Quick read though. Worth it if you are interested in the topic. Love all the old photos and illustrations.

[Lance · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clunky writing and a lack of insight in the 1800’s wrestling that proceeded this feud made this book a thumbs down for me. Some good insights on the matches themselves, but beyond that this has nothing to offer

[Mark Cubillos · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most important wrestling matches in pro wrestling history. This is a quick but detailed account of the two matches that put pro wrestling on the map but then destroyed its legitimacy. This is a must read for fans of pro wrestling history.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good history.

Above average on history, lots of repetition though. I would prefer more detail, but I’m glad I bought it & read it.

[Lance Lumley · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was a lot of information in this book about two legendary wrestlers and the match that is considered the match that created wrestling matches being fixed, as opposed to the years before where people would sit and watch a match that lasted hours with no falls.
The book describes both wrestlers, and their career leading up to the first and the final match. The pictures are nice and plenty of research was put into the book, with information from many newspaper articles, where this info is hard to find in most cases.
Even though the information was good, it did not keep me engaged as a reader. I put the book down and read two other books before returning to this book. However, since it is one of the few books about this time period, you get what you get.
Overall the book was ok, but reads like a bad textbook. It was a decent book, but not great. However if you are a fan of this period of professional wrestling, you will learn something from the book.